Chapter Twenty-five: The Su Family Has Fallen

By the time the two had crossed the mountain, it was already noon. From afar, Su Wan spotted a vast grove of cacti. Excited, she ran ahead, discovering that the cacti were teeming with fuzzy cochineal insects. The pair settled in the shade to eat their packed lunch, and Su Wan casually plucked a few cactus fruits for Su Chen. Peeling away the thick skin revealed sweet, fragrant flesh, and the two ate until their mouths were sticky with jam.

Once sated, Su Wan produced a homemade brush and tweezers, beginning her work. There were so many cochineal insects that, in no time, they had collected a large jar full. Su Chen felt queasy. “Don’t tell me this is the raw material for your lipstick?” Su Wan took out another jar and started gathering more. “Don’t you think the color is beautiful?” Su Chen was dumbfounded. “How can you be so ruthless? You plan to turn these things into lipstick and have people put it on their lips?” Su Wan rolled her eyes, unconcerned. “What’s so bad about it? In ancient times, only emperors and imperial concubines could use this stuff.”

“When the time comes, the flower-based lipsticks will sell for five yuan a stick, but those made from these insects will fetch fifteen!” Su Chen was even more shocked, mouth agape. “Now I understand why Grandpa doesn’t want you two to get into business. Too ruthless.” Su Wan shook her head. “My prices are clearly marked, and I’ll list all the ingredients. If buyers accept it, they buy; if not, I won’t take their money. How is that ruthless?” Unable to argue, Su Chen simply bowed his head and picked in silence.

After gathering another two jars, the siblings slowly prepared to head home. The descent was even harder than the climb. They used sticks for support, looking for all the world like vagrants scavenging the streets in 2020. The mountain path was muddy, and by the time they reached the bottom, their legs were caked in filth. Su Wan even slipped halfway down, losing a shoe and covering her backside in mud. Exhausted and battered, they trudged home.

On the way, Aunt Wang saw their bedraggled state and couldn’t help but follow quietly, hoping to overhear their conversation.

Su Chen asked, “Do we really have to do this?” Su Wan replied, “Everything is for money, for a better life in the future.” Su Chen sighed heavily.

Seeing the bundles of wild grasses and vegetables in their bags, Aunt Wang finally understood— the Su family had fallen so far that the two children were now foraging for wild greens to survive. Shocked, Aunt Wang stopped in her tracks, quietly putting distance between herself and the siblings.

Once the pair had gone, Aunt Wang couldn’t wait any longer and ran straight to the Wang Luo household. Unbelievable! The Su family was now reduced to eating wild vegetables!

Su Wan and Su Chen, weary in body and spirit, had no idea they were being misunderstood. They sneaked back home, and Su Wan quickly went upstairs to change into clean pants and shoes. Su Chen, however, was intercepted by the old man.

“Where have you been today? Why do you look like this?” The stern voice rang out from downstairs. Su Wan hurriedly wiped her face with a towel and rushed down to help. “We went to play on the back mountain. Su Chen wouldn’t listen and insisted on catching loaches at the pond. He didn’t catch any, just got himself all muddy.” The old man’s face darkened at her words. “You’re both too old to be acting like children! Look at the state of you.” After scolding them, he still wasn’t satisfied and shot Su Chen a disdainful glance. “Useless. Can’t even catch a loach. You’d lose to a chicken.” Su Chen was speechless.

Why me? After a day of hard work, I don’t get a single kind word, and now I’m being blamed for something I didn’t do!

Fuming, Su Chen stopped the old man as he was about to head to his room. “Grandpa!” The old man turned gravely. “What is it?” Su Chen hesitated, swallowing hard under the old man’s gaze. “I’ll definitely catch one tomorrow.” The old man was furious, delivering a swift kick as a lesson. “Get out! Stop embarrassing me out there.” Su Chen retreated quickly. “Alright, I’ll do as you say, Grandpa!”

Finally, after sending the old man away, Su Chen dared to look at Su Wan with a resentful gaze. Su Wan felt guilty and offered him tea with a sheepish smile. “Brother, you’ve suffered.” Su Chen took the cup grumpily, and Su Wan hurriedly massaged his shoulders in a fawning manner.

After tidying up, they began washing vegetables and preparing dinner. Su Wan cleaned all the greens, then rinsed the rice. Su Chen started the fire. As the oil in the pan heated and they were about to start cooking, a crowd suddenly marched in through the gate.

Leading them was Wang Luo’s mother, chin raised in triumph. She’d just heard from Aunt Wang about the Su family’s misfortune. Su Wan’s breakup had caused quite a stir, as if she expected her life to improve dramatically, but now she was reduced to scavenging vegetables.

The three Su family members came forward. Wang Luo’s father greeted the old man with a smile. “I hear your family’s fallen on hard times, now surviving on wild greens?” His words made the old man’s face instantly darken. Unaware, Wang Luo’s father continued, “With things so difficult, one less mouth to feed means more food for you and Su Chen. Why don’t our families renew the marriage proposal and have Su Wan marry into our family?” The Wang Luo family, empty-handed, had come to discuss marriage!

He moved closer, attempting to throw his arm around the old man’s shoulders, but was met with a crushing grip from the old man’s iron-like hand. The old man thundered, like an enraged lion, “What nonsense are you spewing?”

Wang Luo’s father grimaced in pain, crying out. Wang Luo’s mother rushed forward to help, but the old man was strong and her efforts only made things worse for her husband.

Angry and humiliated, she spat, “Hah! You still think it’s the old days? Back then, your family had money and power, so we respected you. Now, you’re nothing!” “Old man, I advise you to let go! When Wang Luo gets here, we’ll be three against one. I refuse to believe we can’t take you down!”

No sooner had she spoken than Su Wan and Su Chen stepped forward to shield the old man. Wang Luo’s mother sneered, “What can two little brats do?”

Just then, Wang Luo and his uncle entered the courtyard. Wang Luo’s mother immediately went to him, feigning tears and complaint. “Ah Luo, look, we came here with good intentions to discuss marriage, and this is how they treat us.”

Wang Luo had already heard from his aunt about the Su family’s downfall. He’d come to repay a debt, but seeing the Su family so ungrateful and even resorting to violence, he was ready to join the fray.

At that critical moment, a deep, commanding voice rang out at the gate, “Stop!”